Mushrooms and Dragons in Matango (Revision 385)

To get to Matango, head back to the Spring area of the forest, just outside Popoi's village, and go through the southwest exit. This will bring you into an area of forest that appears like the Summer area does. Cast your newly aquired Analyzer on the crystal to find out that Sylphid's magic is needed to break it. (Surprise surprise.) Then cast Air Blast to break it and open the way forward.

This area has a mix of all the monsters in the separate areas of the forest, and adds some Crawlers that can cast sleep flower on you. Just keep going through the forest for a couple of areas and you'll reach a cave. Head in there, and smash the stalagtites with your axe. Walk outside and vuala, you're in Matango.

Matango is pretty cool looking with the shadows of trees up above you, it's also unique because it's an entire city of Mushbooms that are peaceful. Anyway, head to the store first, to check for any equipment upgrades. It's the left of the two buildings. Then go to the palace, which is the only other building here, and go to the back to meet Truffle, the king. He tells you of a white dragon in the forest behind Matango that will help you, and of a legend saying the 3 with the mana sword will ride the dragon to save the world. He also lets you take a weapon orb from a chest upstairs. Head back from where you came, to the room with Watts, upgrade your whip, and go to the right. The mushboom there was guarding the south exit before you talked to Truffle, go out there to continue.

Just walk through the first area, and head back into the caves, where most of this segment takes place. The caves have you go up and down a few sets of stairs, but really push you in one direction for the most part. You'll eventually get to another crystal. Analyzer says to use Gnome's magic, specifically Earth Slide this time. Go back out the room that you were in to find a group of stalagtites that were just there broken up, and you can now walk past them. Continue on until you find yourself outside in the woods again, and at a boss, Great Viper.

Boss - Great Viper

Great Viper is a bit hard to hit since it comes in and out of view so quickly. Just wait until he's somewhere in the middle and strike, then back off. He can inflict midge on you, be careful if he does, as this not only makes your attacks only do 1 damage, but your defense is cut in half, and if you're caught in his line of movement, he can hit you a few times and wipe you. Remedy is only 1 mana, and if you have the Midge Mallet from the dwarf elder, you can recover from the status effect as often as you need, and as quickly as you need. He's weak against Sylphid's magic, so hit him with Air Blast as long as you have magic, and he'll go down without too much trouble. You'll get a sword's orb for defeating him.

After the battle, continue through the clearing and enter the cave at the back. Here you'll find a young dragon, who's parents must have been defeated by the Great Viper. (According to Primm anyway) You go ask Truffle for help, and he brings the dragon back to his palace and says he'll raise him for you while you're adventuring, until the dragon is old enough to help you. He also names him 'Flammie'. Finally he tells you to go to Kakkara desert next to find the Fire Palace, you can get there from a cannon travel man back in the Upper Land forest. Be sure to upgrade your sword before you leave.